H.R. No. 1085
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas lost an ardent advocate for the
study of its history with the passing of Sam Houston IV of Katy on
March 10, 2017, at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, The son of Ruth Helen Nilson Houston and Sam Houston
III, Sam Houston was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, on September 25,
1931; he completed his bachelor's degree in history at the
University of Houston and served his country during the Korean War
as an infantry platoon leader in the United States Army;
subsequently, he served in the Army Reserve for 16 years, attaining
the rank of lieutenant colonel; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Houston enjoyed a long career in sales with U.S.
Steel, but his passion was early Texas history; the great-grandson
of General Sam Houston, he spoke frequently about our state's
heritage to schools, civic groups, and other organizations; he was
appointed to the Bicentennial Commission of the U.S. Constitution
and the Sesquicentennial Commission of the Republic of Texas, and
he served as president general of the Sons of the Republic of Texas
and as knight commander of the Knights of San Jacinto; in 2010, he
was commissioned as commanding general of the Texas Army; he also
appeared in the Emmy Award-winning documentary Sam Houston:
American Statesman, Soldier, and Pioneer; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Houston received numerous
accolades; he was one of nine men to receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Sons of the Republic over the
century-long history of that organization; in 2011, he was
presented with the George Washington Award by the Paul Carrington
Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Mr. Houston shared a
fulfilling marriage with his wife, Virginia Rose Houston; he took
great pride in his three children, Vicky, Steven, and Kevin, his
three grandchildren, Sherry, Bridgett, and Scott, and seven
great-grandchildren, Jessica, Chelsea, Patrick, Mackenzie, Nicole,
Sophia, and Dylan; and
WHEREAS, Sam Houston helped countless people gain a greater
understanding and appreciation of the history of the Lone Star
State, and he will be remembered with great admiration and
affection by all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sam Houston IV and
extend sincere sympathy to his loved ones; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sam Houston
IV.
Schofield
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1085 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 6, 2017.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House